Bridle-bit.



No, 709,700. Patented-Sept. 23, I902.

C. W. BROWN.

8 R l D L E BIT.

(Application filed Jan. 8, 1902.)

(No Model.)

" Elva/$507;

UNITED rates Patient Fl llfiht CHARLES 1V. DROWN, OF BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT.

BldlDLE-Bl'l'.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,700, dated September 23, 1902.

Application filed January 8, 1902. Serial No. 88,881. (No model.)

To (all) wit/0771, it ntay cancer/t:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES \V. DROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at l-lrate tleboro, in the county of Windham and State of Vermont, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawtugs.

The presentinvention relates tobridle-bits, and has for its object to provide a bit which will render the control of a fractious or frightened horse extremely easy, and yet one which will not injure the mouth of the animal or subject it to hard or inhuman treatment in controlling it.

In the drawings which accompanyand form a part of this specification, Figure l is a perspective view showing the bit and so much of the bridle-straps, reins, the, as are necessary to illustrate the invention. Fig. 2 is a detail view of the bit, showing the center bit-roll and the bit-bars secured thereto, illustrating diagrammatically the action of the bit in the animals mouth. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the center bit-roll and bit-bars to show the bit-joint.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, like numbers indicating like parts in the several views, 1 indicates the bit-bars, which are preferably of the ordinary form of snaftle bit-bars, said bars 1 being provided with the usual rings 2'at their outer ends for the attachment of the bridle cheek-straps, reins, the, while at their inner ends they have the eyes 8, by means of which they arejointed to a center bitrolld. This bit-roll 4 is a substantially coneshaped piece having a fiat lower face with a pair of integral eyes 5 depending therefrom, to which eyes 5 the eyes 3 at the inner ends of the bit-bars l are jointed. The bitbars 1 play freely about the bit-roll 4 except in an upward direction, movement of said bars 1 upwardly being prevented by the overhanging base of the bit-roll 4, which extends beyond the eyes 5 and forms an abutment or stop against which the bitbars l impinge, (see Figs. 2 and 3,) thus forming a bit which has a joint breakable in all directions except downwardly.

Mounted upon each of the bit-bars 1, so as to render freely thereon, are skeleton cheekplates 6, substantially rectangular in form, said cheek-plates 6 being provided at their upper ends with openings 7, through which the ends of a strap 8 pass, said strap 8 forming a nose or upper jaw-strap, which passes over the animals nose and keeps the bit properly positioned in the mouth. The lower ends of said cheek-plates 6 are provided with openings 9, through which a lower jaw-strap 10 passes, said lower jawstrap 10 being drawn snugly, but not too tightly, against the lower jaw of the animal.

\Vith the arrangement of upper jaw-strap 8 and lower jaw-strap 10 above described, the mouth of the animal will be kept closed and the bit will be maintained in proper position for best controlling the animal, since a pulling or fractious horse cannot displace the bit by opening his mouth, and so render the bit defective as a means of control.

To the upper nosetrap 8 the check-rein 11 is secured, an o verdraw-check being shown in the present case, so that the pull of the check-rein 11 comes upon the cheek-plates 6 and through them is transmitted to the bitbars 1. It will be observed that owing to the novel bit-joint provided, in which the inner ends of the bit-bars l, impinging against the abutment or stop formed by the under side of the center bit-roll 4E prevent a downward breaking of the bit, the bit does not break at its joint when pull is exerted 011 the bit-bars 1 by the check, but is rigid against the pull of the check, thus forming a practicallyst-raight bar-bit, so that the severe and constant pressure on the sides of the mouth of the animal caused by the hinging or breaking action of the ordinary jointed snaffle-bit is obviated. At the same time the center bit-roll 4 is not forced into the roof of the horses mouth (denoted by dotted lines in Fig. 2) by the checkrein pull, owing to the fact that the said bitr0114 drops slightly below the horizontal center of the bit when the bit-bars 1 are pulled upwardly by the check and the .upper jaw of the animal bears only on the bit-bars 1 at the sides of the mouth. YVhen the driving-reins 12 are drawn taut, however, the bit-joint will break and the rounded or coned bit-roll 4 will be forced against the roof of the animals mouth and quickly subdue it, the arrangement of jaw-straps 8 and 10, as above stated,

preventing the mouth from being opened and the bit displaced.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a bit is provided which will not irritate a horses mouth under ordinary circumstances, and yet one which is very powerful and effective for the purpose of controlling the animal by means of the driving-reins should it become frightened or vicious.

- Having thus described my invention, 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a jointed bit; the combination with bit-bars; of a center bit-roll with which said bars are connected at their inner ends; stops on said bit-roll against which the said bitbars impinge so as to prevent breaking of the bit at the joint in a downward direction, but leaving it free to break in otherdirections, whereby a straight bit rigid against downward pressure is provided; cheek-plates slidingly mounted on said bit-bars, an adj ustable lower jaw-strap secured to thelower ends of said cheek-plates; and an adjustable upper jaw-strap and check-rein secured to the upper ends of said cheek-plates.

2. A jointed bit comprising bit-bars; and a center bit-roll to which said bit-bars are jointed, said bit-roll having a fiat bottom or under side and centrally-placed eyes depending therefrom to form joint connections for the bit-bars; said bit-bars impinging against said flat bottom so as to prevent breaking the bit downwardly, but leaving it free to break in other directions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES W. DROWVN.

Witnesses: F. DE STOWE, ARTHUR QSPENCER. 

